GROWTH HABIT: Biennial, sometimes annual, erect, up to 8 ft. Tall. Rosette formed first year, flowering stem elongates second year.
LEAVES: Large, coarsely lobed, hairy on both sides, velvety gray appearance. Margins lined with sharp conspicuous spines, Basal leaves up to 2 ft. Long and 1 ft. Wide.
STEMS: Erect, branching, spiny leaf wings extend down onto stem, covered with dense fine hairs.
FLOWER: Solitary, terminal, 1 to 2 inches in diamter, violet to reddish colored. Bracts spine tipped.
ROOTS: Large fleshy taproot.
SEEDS: Deep brown to black, distinctly wrinkled, 3/16" long.
OTHER: Reproduce by seed only. Dense strands may be impenetrable to livestock.